FWISD Suicide Prevention Week September 9-14

Fort Worth ISD’s United Voices for Change (UV4C) organization is spearheading the District’s observance of The Future is Bright: A Week of Suicide Prevention, September 9-14. The week coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day, Tuesday September 10.

FWISD employees, students and their families are invited to participate in a week of activities including:

Wednesday: Each FWISD campus picks their own day to promote suicide prevention and bright futures for all students

Thursday: Wear team apparel to “team up” against suicide and join UV4C for a rally from 5-7 p.m. at Forest Hill Civic and Convention Center that will include representatives and swag from the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers organizations

Friday: Wear neon/bright and college T-shirts to represent the future is bright

Saturday: Join UV4C in the “Out of the Darkness” Walk sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention from 8 a.m. to noon at The Shops at Clearfork

The District’s United Voices for Change (UV4C) organization, a program encouraging students to use their voices to make positive change in their communities and on their school campuses, is preparing for a week of conversation and education focused on reducing the stigma of mental illness and teaching students and the Tarrant County community about warning signs and people at risk of suicide.

“Fort Worth ISD students agree suicide prevention is a top priority,” Joceline Rojas, a junior at Marine Creek Collegiate High School and UV4C president, told Board trustees at an August 27 meeting. “Many of our peers suffer with depression and thoughts of suicide and seeing the tragic impact on our friends and the families of students who have died by suicide, we plan to positively impact our community by dedicating week of suicide prevention.”

Several other area school districts are partnering with UV4C in its weeklong observance of The Future is Bright: A Week of Suicide Prevention including Kennedale, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw and Carroll.

On Tuesday, August 27, the FWISD Board of Education approved a resolution endorsing the weeklong efforts planned by UV4C.

According to the resolution, read by FWISD Board President Jacinto Ramos at the meeting, suicide is the third leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 17. Last year, four FWISD students died by suicide, according to the resolution.

The cities of Fort Worth and Keller are also presenting proclamations endorsing UV4C’s week of activities.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide or having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for help. The crisis hotline, which provides free and confidential emotional support is available 24/7.